Thursday, July 22, 2010

Sometimes we all need a little Zen in our life. As much as I love a busy lifestyle, full days and packed weekends, a little time away from it all can be just what I need. Just enough space to relfect on my own, recollect my thoughts, and replenish my perspective. In the same way, I love bright colors and active patterns but I can't help but breath a little calmer in the pressence of traditional Japanese sumi-e ink paintings. There is such grace in the brush strokes, and sush calm control, and yet all the subtle details are present but without any of the fuss. It just allows the viewer to be at peace and meditate, whoever they, wherever they are in life, they can just breath.

Live in it...

This gorgeous rug from Fort Street Studio is from their watercolor collection and captures the essence of Sumi-e Ink painting. It adds restorative energy to a space as the contrast of black on white grabs your attention then sooths and calms as each brush stroke fades into the next. Pair with a traditional paper lantern for a stylishly Zen interior.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Anni Albers...I was recently reminded of this female Bauhaus artist while flipping through an Elle Decor and became inspired. Her story is one of overcoming sexism and gaining recognition for work she was passionate about. She was a weaver at the Bauhaus and likened the practice to architecture in that each smaller piece was in support of the whole. Although weaving got little to no recognition and she was a female among few in what was truly a man's world, she sought to create work that inspired and ultimately won the hearts of many through the art she produced.

"I have this very 'square' idea that art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness"-Anni Albers

Live in it.... Luckily, Knoll still produces one of Albers' patterns. Her "Eclat" comes in several different color ways and feels just as modern today as it did when she was weaving it herself so many years ago. The pattern is a small enough print that you could upholster a chair in the nuetral tone for added fresh texture, dress up a bed in it or choose a few of the colorways for throw pillows. The diagonal lines bring an energetic feel without the feeling of chaos.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

June gloom is finally over in Southern California and I couldn't be happier. I woke up to the sun shining through my window this morning and was nudged softly out of bed by its warmth. As it goes, everything looks brighter in the morning and I'm excited and thankful to have this day to continue to pursue my dreams and emerse myself in the world of design. These pieces by Campbell Laird, an Australian artist, seemed perfectly fitting today for their bright translucence and cheery curves. So take on the day with energy and enthusiasm and the let the day's beauty unfold.

Live in It.. These translucent tables from 3form come in tons of brilliant colors and are modern and chic with a dose of optimism and cheer. The translucent quality allows light to shine through the material make them sort of glow in any well-lit space. Check out 3form's website for all kinds of great applications with light and color.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Van Gogh..Every once in a while I can't help but feel the weight of the world, and it always helps to just take a moment to change my perspective and lighten back up. I love this piece because it has that feeling of coming from that darkness and breaking through to a new light. There is a lot of hope here, new life in the blossoms and lightness coming through in the sky.

Live in it....

This mint green stone adds moodiness and drama without the darkness..Love these fresh white garden stools, great for extra seating, a place to set a glass or a magazine and they add pattern in a subtle way.. Try painting just one small wall with a highly saturated color like this turqoise blue, it will feed your soul!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Warhol loved to take everyday images and print them in provocative ways to create prints that are simply vibrant and that truly pop. (Thus the term Pop Art) I love how the stilettos in this piece create their own pattern. There is an interesting juxtaposition here between the depth created where the shoes are layered and the flatness of the screen print medium.

Live in it...

Add a huge punch of color and energy to any space with these deliciously bright fabrics by Madeline Weinrib. You'll feel energized by their dancing patterns and saturated hues.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

You've seen this Diebenkorn piece before with its bright juicy splashes of color, but I wanted to bring it back for a new series on the blog. I'm hoping to bring you guys beautiful and inspiring works of art and showing you how you can create that feeling in your own home.

I love this shockingly bright Isaac Mizrahi (for S. Harris) fabric. It would be great for throw pillows or even a little chaise lounge for a neon punch...Enjoy!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

I am a lover of textiles. This Ancient African textile continues to be a popular motif today. I love the sense of geometry without symmetry, the sense of chaos in a soothing pallette, and the feeling of the human touch in the organic material.

Live in it...

I am also absolutely in love with John Robshaw's designs that take influences from all over the world and puts them into your home. Check out these delicious pillows and more at his website johnrobshaw.com

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Josef Albers, a Bauhaus student and pioneer of modernism in America, created these pieces in homage to the square and to color. Minimalism is a hard concept to grasp for a lot of people, sure anyone can put a square in a square right? But what makes these pieces inspiring is how they make you feel. Color combination, saturation and depth, as well as the use of the most stable and controlled shape are all contributing to your reaction as a viewer.

Josef Albers, Vitra

I love the vintage feeling browns and mustard yellows. A print of one of these is a great way to bring some color and mood into a room without adding a lot of extra chaos. And as most art pieces that inspire they add their own commentary about life. Sometimes less is more and sometimes the simplest things are the most beautiful. These Josef Albers inspired nesting tables were recently re-issued by Vitra and are a great way to bring in a pop of color with a lot of function....Enjoy!

"Easy-to know that diamonds are precious,Good-to learn that rubies-have depth,but more-to see that pebbles-are miraculous"-Josef Albers

Thursday, July 1, 2010

In a world where we are obsessed with having the next biggest thing, the newest innovation, constantly throwing away the old to make room for the new, we tend to forget that all we throw away doesn't just go away. It creates waste. So when I found Urban Hardwoods, a company that diverts old and torn down trees from the landfill and instead makes them into new furniture, I was ecstatic. Their mission is to cherish the trees and give them new life as a table top, a head board, a side table, you name it. The company is absolutely sustainable by nature and every product is stunningly gorgeous. Based in Seattle you can find a piece in any shade you can find a tree in. http://www.urbanhardwoods.com/

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children" Native American Proverb